Juvenile Sexual Crimes Against a Younger Child
The most important job for a parent is protecting their child. Most parents never consider the possibility that their child could behave in a sexually inappropriate manner that would rise to the level of breaking the law.
Under Florida law, prosecutors charge children from the age of 10 years old to 18 years old with serious criminal offenses such as lewd and lascivious molestation, sexual battery, or aggravated sexual battery.
Unfortunately, these types of accusations are common. Boys between the age of 12-14 are the most likely to be accused, although prosecutors might make these accusations against children even younger.
Law enforcement officers will go to great lengths to interrogate the child to get a confession.
You can tell the officer that you do not want your child to talk to anyone about the criminal allegations until the child has spoken to a criminal defense attorney.
Although the detective might try and convince you otherwise, it might not be in your child’s best interest to make incriminating statements.
For a criminal investigation, the United States Constitution gives your child the right to remain silent under the 5th Amendment and the right to an attorney under the 6th Amendment.
We help the child assert both rights in writing immediately so that no one comes to interrogate the child at their home or school.
Accusations of sexual misconduct can involve relatively minor and innocent behavior involving curiosity. Years ago, this conduct was called “playing doctor.”
In some cases, children begin acting out because they have been a victim of sexual abuse.
Other cases involve more disturbing sexually motivated crimes involving violence.
Unfortunately, the juvenile justice system is not always good at telling the difference and treating the cases appropriately.
Attorneys for Juvenile Sexually Motivated Crimes in Tampa, FL
If your child is accused of acting inappropriately, then seek out the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
We can help you determine the best way to protect your child from a false or exaggerated accusation.
If your child needs counseling, we can help you find the best resources so that you can take a proactive approach to help your child get treatment.
Our juvenile defense attorneys understand the benefits and pitfalls of various juvenile court programs set up in different jurisdictions in the greater Tampa Bay area, including:
- Tampa in Hillsborough County;
- Clearwater and St. Petersburg in Pinellas County;
- New Port Richey and Dade City in Pasco County;
- Brooksville in Hernando County; and
- Bartow in Polk County, FL.
Our main office is in downtown Tampa, FL, near the courthouse. We have an additional office in New Port Richey, in Pasco County, across from the West Pasco Judicial Center, and in Clearwater, in Pinellas County, near the Criminal Justice Center (CJC) courthouse.
No matter the circumstances, we can help your child determine the best course of action to protect their future. Let us put our experience to work for you.
Call (813) 250-0500.
Sex-Related Offenses in Juvenile Court in Hillsborough County, FL
In Hillsborough County, FL, all sex-related offenses will be assigned to Unified Family Court Juvenile Crossover Division “M.”
For purposes of this rule, the term “sex related offense” means a violation of:
- section 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), and (g) – human trafficking involving commercial sexual activity;
- section 794.011 – sexual battery;
- section 794.08 – female genital mutilation;
- section 796.04 – forcing, compelling, or coercing another to become a prostitute;
- section 796.05 – deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution;
- section 796.07 – prostitution;
- section 800.02 – unnatural and lascivious acts;
- section 800.03 – exposure of sexual organs;
- section 800.04 – lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age;
- section 810.14 – voyeurism;
- section 810 .145 – video voyeurism;
- section 825.1025 – lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person or disabled adult;
- section 826.04 – incest;
- section 827.071 – sexual performance by a child;
- section 828.126 – sexual activities involving animals;
- section 847.01 – obscenity;
- section 847.012 – sale or distribution of materials harmful to minors;
- section 847 .0133 – sale or distribution of obscene materials to minors;
- section 847.0135 – computer pornography;
- section 847.0137 – transmission of pornography by an electronic device;
- section 847.0138 – transmission of material harmful to a minor by an electronic device; or
- section 847.0141 – sexting – noncriminal first violations and second and subsequent criminal violations.
Never Allow Your Child to Talk to Law Enforcement Without An Attorney
When the parents become aware of the accusation, they often make the mistake of forcing their child to talk to law enforcement.
Parents might be better off contacting a juvenile defense attorney at the beginning of the investigation.
Any statements the child makes can and will be used against them in court.
A confession makes fighting the case and negotiating a better resolution very difficult.
The parents can invoke the child’s right to remain silent simply by telling the police the child will not talk with law enforcement until an attorney is present.
The parent should also explain to the child that they have the right to remain silent unless an attorney is present.
Often these cases for juvenile lewd and lascivious conduct (molestation), sexual battery, or aggravated sexual battery are proven only because of admissions made by the child accused of the misconduct.
By hiring a criminal defense attorney to assist the child with invoking the constitutional right to remain silent, the child can be protected against self-incrimination.
Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm to discuss the fact of the case during a free initial consultation.
Beginning Juvenile Psychosexual Counseling after Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
One of the most important things a parent can do after learning about the accusation is to find the best psychosexual counseling program to address the allegations.
By taking a proactive approach, the parents can often play an active role in helping their child resolve the case as quickly as possible under the most favorable terms.
Additionally, the parents can ensure that the behavior that caused the accusation never happens again.
The goal in these cases is to protect the child and help the child understand the consequences of such behavior.
The “System” of Dealing with Sexual Allegations Involving Two Children
Because of the surprising number of these cases, entire local “systems” have been developed that usher the accused child, the victim child, and the parents through a maze of procedures and hoops.
Almost all parents want to do the right thing regarding accusations of sexual misconduct against their children.
Unfortunately, parents are often confused about how to protect their child’s future best and prevent any additional misconduct.
Some of these programs are better than others. Understanding the advantages and limitations of each program can help parents make informed decisions about how their child should proceed.
To complicate matters even more, false or exaggerated claims are common.
Children, particularly young children, often have difficulty talking with authority figures about such matters. Any child, regardless of age, could also be swayed by outside influences that may have some motive to exaggerate the claims.
Even slight exaggerations about the number of acts or the dates when the incidents occurred can have huge implications for the way the case is resolved and indirect consequences that flow from the disposition.
Helping Juveniles in the Tampa Bay Area With Sexual Misconduct Accusations
We understand the juvenile justice system regarding criminal charges for crimes such as a sexual battery, aggravated sexual battery, or lewd and lascivious conduct.
Contact us to find out more about ways to avoid having to register as a sex offender or sexual predator in the State of Florida or any other state the child may move to in the future.
Additionally, entering any diversion or arbitration program can have severe complications for the child’s future educational opportunities because the school officials are notified.
How the Juvenile Justice System in Hillsborough County May Handle the Accusation
In Hillsborough County, the State Attorney’s Office often approves the charges for community arbitration diversion.
After the referral, the Community Arbitration Diversion program will interview the child and often require the child to complete psychosexual counseling (often called “sex offender” counseling).
The juvenile arbitration program in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, is a court diversion program for juveniles who are guilty and plan to make an admission of guilt.
Problems with the Community Arbitration Diversion Program in Hillsborough County
To enter the diversion program, the child must usually do the following:
- Waive the right to a speedy trial;
- Admit wrong-doing or “take responsibility” for the allegation;
- Complete whatever conditions the diversion program deems appropriate child can include completing counseling, community service, and writing letters of apology; and
- Agree that information about the allegations and the child’s admission can be sent to the child’s private or public school so that the school can take whatever action it deems appropriate, including suspension or expulsion (after an expulsion hearing).
In many of the juvenile court systems in the Tampa Bay area, including Hillsborough County, Polk County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, and Manatee County, to enter the program, the child must admit wrongdoing and sign a release form.
After the release form is signed, the State Attorney’s Office arbitration case worker will write a letter to the child’s school telling the school precisely what the child has been charged with.
The fact that the child admitted guilt or wrongdoing. And the fact that the child is avoiding an adjudication of delinquency by entering the arbitration program.
After the school receives the letter (even if the alleged contact occurred off school grounds and did not involve another student), the school may take any action it deems appropriate, including suspension or expulsion.
For sexually motivated acts, public and private schools throughout Hillsborough County often decide to suspend, expel, or change the child’s placement.
For instance, the Hillsborough County School Board recently approved a new Code of Student Conduct that includes a zero-tolerance policy for serious crimes involving weapons, drugs, and violence.
If a student allegedly commits such an offense, their principal investigates immediately and notifies the student’s parents of the circumstances involved.
If the principal determines that the student committed the criminal offense, the penalties are:
- out of school suspension for ten days;
- referral of the case to law enforcement; and
- a recommendation to the School Board for a change of placement or expulsion from school.
Following the criminal accusation against the child for the enumerated offenses, after the suspension. the following steps occur:
- After a meeting with the parents to discuss the alleged offense, the principal sends a letter notifying the parents that the student is suspended and recommended for a change of placement or expulsion from the Hillsborough County School System;
- A change of placement hearing is scheduled. Parents receive a letter hand-delivered by the Office of School Security notifying them of the hearing’s time, date, and location
- The principal confirms the hearing through a telephone call to parents.
- Two hearing masters, an attorney, three representatives of the school district services, and a security officer comprise the team.
- The hearing masters conduct the hearing and review records and will assist in the disposition of allegations.
- The best interests of the child, other children, and the School Board of Hillsborough County are considered.
Related Juvenile Criminal Charges for Sexually Motivated Crimes
Florida law might require the juvenile to register as a sexual offender or predator if the juvenile was fourteen (14) years of age or older at the time of the offense and was adjudicated delinquent on or after July 1, 2007, for committing, conspiring to commit, soliciting, or attempting and of the following offenses:
- Sexual Battery under 794.011 (not including subsection (10);
- Lewd or lascivious battery under 800.04(4)(b) when the victim is under twelve (12), or the court specifically finds the sexual activity was committed by coercion or use of force;
- Lewd or lascivious battery under 800.04(5)(c)(1) when the victim is under twelve (12) and when the court finds the molestation involved unclothed genitals;
- Lewd or lascivious battery under 800.04(5)(d) when the victim is over the age of twelve (12) and under the age of sixteen (16) when the court finds the use of coercion or force and unclothed genitals; or
- A similar law of another jurisdiction.
When is a Child Classified as Juvenile Sexual Offenders?
Section 943.0435, F.S., requires a juvenile, 14 years old or older at the time of the offense, who is adjudicated delinquent for specified enumerated offenses, on or after July 1, 2007, is designated as a “sexual offender.”
Under Section 943.0435(1)(a)1.d., the court must make a written finding of the age of a juvenile at the time of the offense. That determination will make a big difference in determining whether the child must register as a juvenile sexual offender.
A juvenile designated as a sexual offender under this statute is required to register in the same manner as an adult designated as a sexual offender.
The offenses that qualify a juvenile as a sexual offender include:
- Section 794.011, F.S. (sexual battery), excluding s. 794.011(10), F.S.;
- Section 800.04(4)(a)2., F.S. (lewd or lascivious battery by specified sexual activity) where the:
- The victim is under 12 years of age; or
- The court finds sexual activity by the use of force or coercion;
- Section 800.04(5)(c)1., F.S. (specified act of lewd or lascivious molestation) where the:
- The defendant is less than 18 years of age;
- The victim is less than 12 years of age; and
- The court finds molestation involved unclothed genitals; or
- Section 800.04(5)(d), F.S. (the specified act of lewd or lascivious molestation) where the:
- The defendant is less than 18 years of age;
- The victim is 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years; and
- The court finds the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals.
Section 800.04(4)(a)2., F.S., prohibits a person from committing a lewd and lascivious battery by encouraging, forcing, or enticing any person less than 16 years of age to engage in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, prostitution, or any other act involving sexual activity.
Section 800.04(5)(a), F.S., defines a lewd and lascivious molestation to mean a person who intentionally touches in a lewd or lascivious manner the breasts, genitals, genital area, or buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of a person less than 16 years of age, or forces or entices a person under 16 years of age to so touch the perpetrator.
Finding a Lawyer for Juvenile Sex Crimes in Florida
Contact a criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm to discuss any allegation of sexual misconduct made about your child.
We work with the child and parents to find the best strategy to address the underlying conduct while protecting the child from the juvenile justice system.
We are familiar with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure and other rules that apply to the juvenile justice system.
Juvenile sexual misconduct attorneys for allegations in Tampa and Plant City in Hillsborough County, Clearwater and St. Petersburg in Pinellas County, Brooksville in Hernando County, Bushnell in Sumter County, Bradenton in Manatee County, Sarasota and Venice in Sarasota County, Bartow in Polk County, and New Port Richey and Dade County in Pasco County, Florida.
Call a juvenile defense attorney in Tampa, FL, at (813) 250-0500 to discuss your case today.
This article was last updated on Friday, March 17, 2023.
